The entire staff of Narragansett Bay Commission, led by Executive Director Raymond Marshall, was recognized by EPA's New England Office for exceptional work in operating and maintaining its wastewater treatment facility. The plant was among three specific facilities in New England acknowledged for exemplary performance during 2011. The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance.

“The professionals operating these wastewater treatment plants, as well as the municipalities and the state environmental agencies that support them, are essential to keeping our environment healthy by protecting water quality. They are devoted, often underappreciated, and demonstrate a high level of commitment under extreme situations. I am proud to give them the credit they deserve,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office.

The award acknowledges the outstanding work that has been performed by the entire NBC staff over the years focusing on the operations and maintenance of the treatment facility in particular (i.e. Paul Nordstrom, Director of Operations and Engineering; Carmine Goneconte, Operations Manager, Paul Desrosiers, Assistant Operations Manager, Meg Goulet, Interceptor Maintenance Manager, and staff), as well as in the construction services (i.e. Rich Bernier, Director of Construction Services, Mark Thomas, Construction Manager, and staff), executive affairs (i.e. Laurie Horridge, Director of Executive Affairs, Jennifer Harrington, Chief Legal Counsel, and staff), administration and finance (i.e. Karen Giebink, Director of Administration and Finance and staff), planning, policy, and regulation (i.e. Thomas Uva, Director of Planning Policy, and Regulation; Kerry Britt, Industrial Pretreatment Manager; and staff) and the energy efficiency (i.e. Barry Wenskowicz and James McCaughey) sectors. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) was instrumental in nominating this facility. The award and acknowledgement from the RIDEM and the EPA is extremely well deserved and is reflective of a total team effort.

The Narragansett Bay Commission Fields Point Wastewater Treatment Plant’s outstanding work will be acknowledged on January 25th at the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference in Boston.